Three-day air pollution campaign begins in Dhaka

A three-day campaign titled “Clean Air, Healthy Future” was inaugurated in Dhaka on Friday to raise public awareness and press for urgent action against worsening air pollution in Bangladesh.

The campaign, organised by Young Women for Development Rights and Climate (YWDRC), began in the Khilgaon area, with the inaugural programme held at the organisation’s office in Banasree, Rampura, said a press release.

The initiative received support from Nari Unnayan Shakti, Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, and the Textile Garments Workers Federation.

YWDRC Executive Chairperson Nusrat Sultana Afroj chaired the event and presented the keynote paper. Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, she said nearly 99% of the global population currently lives in polluted air environments.

Referring to a study conducted by Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) between 2020 and 2024, she said respiratory-related hospital admissions increase by more than 3.8% for every 10-point rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI). Increased PM2.5 concentrations also significantly raise hospital admissions, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Speakers at the programme warned that children under five and elderly people are among the worst affected by air pollution, suffering from asthma, pneumonia, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, lung cancer, allergies, and impaired lung development.

The event’s chief guest was freedom fighter Abul Hossain, president of the Textile Garments Workers Federation. Special guests included Dr Afroja Pravin, executive director of Nari Unnayan Shakti; Khairuzzamal Kamal, vice-president of Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum; Abdul Momen, executive member of the Forum for Culture and Human Development; and Selina Khatun, publicity secretary of the Domestic Worker Employers Association.

Speakers stressed the need for immediate government action and adequate budget allocation to tackle air pollution, which they described as a major public health and environmental crisis.

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During the programme, organisers and participating civil society groups placed a 13-point demand before the government. The demands included formulating a national clean air action plan, shutting down illegal and highly polluting brick kilns, enforcing environmental laws in industries, modernising public transport, banning open waste burning, expanding urban forestry, introducing real-time air quality monitoring systems, and increasing investment in renewable energy.

The campaign organisers also called for stronger environmental education in schools and greater involvement of NGOs and youth groups in environmental protection initiatives.